Justice Served: Abu Sayyaf Militants Sentenced for Notorious Kidnapping

A Philippine court sentenced 17 Abu Sayyaf militants to life imprisonment for the 2000 kidnapping of 21 individuals from Malaysia. The group, branded a terrorist organization by the Philippines and the U.S., captured European tourists and Asian workers. They were later freed after ransoms, leading to the ending of Abu Sayyaf’s reign.

A court in the Philippines has handed down life sentences to 17 members of the Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf for their role in the kidnapping of 21 people from a Malaysian resort in 2000. The victims included European tourists and Asian workers who endured harsh conditions before ransom payments secured their release.

The convicted militants, sentenced by the Regional Trial Court in Taguig City, include two high-profile leaders, Hilarion Santos and Redendo Dellosa, both of whom are on the UN's terrorism blacklist. The court's decision marks a significant chapter in the long-standing battle against the group, which once held a notorious reputation for ransom kidnappings and violence.

The April 2000 abduction from Sipadan Island saw victims taken by speedboat to southern Philippines, where they were held captive in challenging conditions. The ordeal ended with the payment of sizable ransoms, reportedly funded by Libya, and set off a series of military offensives that ultimately weakened Abu Sayyaf.

(With inputs from agencies.)